Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for selectively passing or blocking laser electromagnetic energy. A laser system comprises a shutter, whereby when the shutter is rotated one or more open areas of the shutter and one or more solid areas of the shutter are alternately positioned in a path of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the laser. The shutter may operate in different modes, including allowing all laser pulses to pass through in whole or in part, blocking all laser pulses from passing through, and alternately allowing and blocking laser pulses. In some embodiments, the shutter is controlled to allow only a part of each selected laser pulse to pass through. A laser system comprises a waveplate rotatable into different positions corresponding to different operating modes. The different operating modes may include allowing part and blocking part of the laser electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for monitoring a laser system using detection of back reflection. In some embodiments, a laser system comprises a laser, at least one optical fiber, and a back-reflection monitoring sensor for detecting electromagnetic radiation reflected back from the optical fiber(s). The back-reflection monitoring sensor may be adapted to detect back-reflected electromagnetic radiation while the laser system is in use. The laser system may further comprise a computing system adapted to calculate an output power of the system based upon the back-reflected electromagnetic radiation. In some embodiments, a method of monitoring a laser system using detection of back reflection comprises transmitting electromagnetic radiation from a laser, receiving the electromagnetic radiation at one or more optical fibers, and detecting electromagnetic radiation that is back reflected at a back-reflection monitoring sensor.